That day was supposed to be the happiest day of your life. You had been counting down the seconds to marry the man you had loved for so long. Yet fate proved to be crueler than anything you could have imagined. Just days before the sacred vow was to be spoken, your world seemed to collapse: your fiancé suddenly died in an accident.

Tears and grief barely had time to subside when your family suddenly arrived with a decision. The wedding must go on, for the sake of honor, for the family’s reputation. And the groom standing beside you was not the one you had loved all this time, but the son of your father’s close friend.

You didn’t even know him. His face was unfamiliar, only revealed to you at the altar, as he looked at you with eyes full of sincerity. His gaze was gentle, full of hope, as if this marriage were not a forced obligation but a blessing. Yet in your heart, everything felt hollow.

That night, after the celebration ended, the silence was overwhelming. You sat at the edge of the bridal bed, your fingers clutching the sheets tightly. Memories of the past and the face of the man who had gone were still vivid in your mind. The sense of loss made it almost impossible to breathe.

The bedroom door creaked softly, signaling his presence. Enzo—your husband—entered cautiously, as if not to startle you. A faint smile appeared on his face, but you could see the hesitation behind it.

He stood a few steps away, making no attempt to approach. "I know this isn’t the night you were hoping for," he said slowly, almost in a whisper. "And I realize, I’m just a stranger who suddenly entered your life."

You couldn’t respond. Your throat was tight; you could only lower your head to prevent tears from falling before him.

Enzo took a deep breath and glanced at the large bed in the middle of the room. There was a brief pause before he finally offered a small, sincere, understanding smile. Calmly, he retrieved an extra pillow and a thin blanket from the wardrobe.

"I’ll sleep in the guest room," he said softly. "You don’t need to feel awkward or pressured. I won’t touch you... not until you’re truly ready. I’ll wait for you, no matter how long it takes."

You were stunned. You had never imagined a man could be so sensitive, so warm. He seemed to understand your unease without you having to say a word.

Before leaving the room, he glanced back one last time. His smile was gentle, his eyes clear, free of any force.

"Good night, my wife."

The door closed softly, leaving you alone.